How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (2024)

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Looking for a fun and festive way to decorate your holiday treats? Try making some sugared cranberries! These little berries are easy to make and add a pop of color and sweetness. They can be used in various recipes, from appetizers to desserts! These sugary cranberries are not only a delicious seasonal treat but also a beautiful garnish to all your holiday dishes and festive co*cktails.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How to Make

4 How to Serve

5 Frequently asked questions about homemade sugary cranberries

7 Sugared Cranberries

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cranberries are super popular during the holiday season and with reason. They are absolutely delicious! You’ve got:

  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Champagne co*cktail With Cranberries
  • Cranberry Orange Marmalade

And that’s just to name a few popular recipes. Cranberries are very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. What better way to enjoy them than with a little bit of sweetness? These sugared cranberries hit the spot.

Besides eating them as a snack, use these sugary cranberries to add to a holiday look to a cookie tray, cheeseboard, and holiday desserts. You can even use them as a co*cktail garnish. This year, I used them to decorate my gingerbread house cake.

All you need to make candied cranberries are three ingredients: white sugar, water, and fresh cranberries! It’s really that simple.

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How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (3)

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this recipe:

  • Cranberries: The main ingredient! You will need 1 bag of fresh cranberries for this recipe.
  • Sugar: To make sure the cranberries are perfectly coated, you will need 2 cups of white sugar. Although, using another type of sugar might not be able to dissolve and coat the cranberries as effectively.
  • Water: To help the sugar dissolve and coat the cranberries, you will need about 1/2 cup of cold water. It makes this delicious sugary syrup that pairs nicely with the tart cranberries!
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How to Make

This recipe can’t get any easier. All you need to do is…

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of water.
  • Then, stir until the sugar is dissolved (2-3 minutes) and then remove from the heat.
  • After, gently fold in the cranberries until they are well coated.
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  • Using a colander, drain the liquid from the cranberries.
  • Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack and let dry for at least an hour.
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  • Working in small batches, roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar until they are well coated.
  • Let them dry for at least one hour on a wire rack.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Note: I’ve provided the exact ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

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How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (8)

How to Serve

First and foremost, they taste great by themselves or as part of a cheese board appetizer. The sugar shell offsets the tart cranberries perfectly for a juicy snack that everyone will love. Serve them with some pepperoni and you’re good to go!

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My all-time favorite way to serve them? Holiday co*cktails! Not only do they add a bit of pizzazz to your drink, but they also look fabulous on a wood skewer placed atop the glass. When sugar comes in contact with a co*cktail, it will dissolve and adds this sweet/tart flavor to the drink.

I think they would look especially wonderful with my Cranberry Bourbon co*cktailor Jingle Juice Holiday Punch. I most recently used them when I made my Very Merry Ornamentini!

Beyond those ideas, you can use them to garnish your cookie tray or any seasonal appetizer. Let me show you how easy they are to make!

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Frequently asked questions about homemade sugary cranberries

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked when I have shared this easy cranberry recipe.

How long do sugared cranberries take to make?

The entire process takes about 2 hours, but most of that time is inactive! All you need to do is mix the ingredients together and wait for the cranberries to cool.

How long do sugared cranberries last?

If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, sugared cranberries will last up to two weeks!

Do sugared cranberries need to be refrigerated?

Yes, sugared cranberries should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They can last up to 5-7 days, but they are best enjoyed within a few days of making them.

Can sugared cranberries be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, let the cranberries thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.

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Pretty simple, right? It’s easy to see why these little guys make the perfect holiday garnish. Now you’re ready to tackle the holidays with a delicious dessert recipe (that doubles as an adorable and festive village), plus some sparkly cranberries you can use in a variety of ways.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

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More Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Cranberry Brie Bites
  • Marscapone Cranberry French Toast
  • Cranberry Sweet Rolls
  • Apple Cranberry Tart
  • Cranberry Orange Marmalade

Try making these sugared cranberries. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along onInstagramandTikTokfor daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration onFacebookandPinterest!

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Sugared Cranberries

These sugared cranberries are not only a delicious seasonal treat, but they make a beautiful garnish to all of your holiday dishes and festive co*cktail recipes.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cranberries, dessert, holiday, sugared cranberries

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 142kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 bag (12-ounces) fresh cranberries

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries until they are well coated. Using a colander, drain the liquid from the cranberries. Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack and let dry for at least an hour.

  • Working in small batches, roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar until they are well coated. Let them dry for at least one hour on a wire rack.

  • Store the cranberries in a bowl without a lid. Enjoy as a snack within two days or use as decor for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much sugar is in cranberries? ›

In every cup of cranberries, there is only 4g of sugar. This compares to raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which have 5, 7, and 7 grams of sugar per cup, respectively. Other similar fruits such as cherries and grapes, have 18 and 15 grams of sugar per cup, respectively.

Do you have to cook cranberries before baking? ›

Nope! While cooking cranberries generally brings out their sweetness (especially if you cook them down with plenty of sugar), they'll be perfectly sweet on their own – and hold up better during baking – if you put them in the batter whole.

Do cranberries need to be soaked? ›

Dried cranberries typically do not need to be soaked before consuming them. They are a convenient and ready-to-eat snack.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Do cranberries raise blood sugar? ›

One study published in Food and Function found that adding whole cranberries to a high-fat meal may improve postprandial blood glucose levels (AKA how high your blood sugar get after a meal). A food like cranberry sauce is traditionally made with ingredients including real cranberries, sugar and spices.

How long to soak cranberries before baking? ›

Rehydrate the fruits: Dried fruits can be quite hard and dry, so it's often a good idea to rehydrate them before adding them to your baked goods. To do this, simply soak the dried fruits in warm water or fruit juice for 15-20 minutes until they are plump and tender.

Is it better to bake with fresh or frozen cranberries? ›

If cooking your berries into a pie filling, you may need to add additional thickening agents because frozen berries tend to release more liquid than fresh and will lead to a runnier consistency. For best results in your baking, don't defrost the berries before use but instead toss them in flour.

Can you use Craisins instead of cranberries in baking? ›

Yes, Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a 1/4 cup (60 mL) difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh cranberries you should use 3/4 cup (175 mL) of Craisins®. Craisins® should not be used in cooked sauces.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried in baking? ›

You'll probably want to use about 1 cup of fresh cranberries for every 1/2 cup of dried cranberries called for in the recipe. You can also look for recipes calling for fresh blueberries and use cranberries instead. Since they're similar in size, fresh blueberries and cranberries can be substituted one-for-one.

Are Craisins dried cranberries? ›

Dried cranberries may be marketed as craisins due to the similarity in appearance with raisins, although the word "Craisin" is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray. Craisins were introduced as part of a packaged cereal produced by Ralston Purina in 1989.

What happens if you overcook cranberries? ›

It is important that you don't overcook them or they will turn to mush, and will also turn bitter. Cranberries should be cooked only until they pop or split, which usually happens in under 10 minutes over medium heat.

Can I dry cranberries in an air fryer? ›

For The Air Fryer Oven: Preheat air fryer to 170 degrees. Spread Cranberries on the racks into 1 layer with some space for air flow (you may need to do this in batches, I was able to use all 3 of my racks to fit the whole batch). Dry cranberries for 6-8 hours shaking and rotating the racks every 2 hours.

Should I soak dried cranberries before baking? ›

Soak Dried Fruits First

If you are planning on using dried fruits, it may be a good idea to soak them first. Dried fruits can lose up to 75% of their volume during the drying process according to cookinglight.com. Once they are mixed with the other ingredients they will begin to reabsorb the moisture around them.

How do you sweeten and dehydrate cranberries? ›

To begin, set your dehydrator to roughly 135°F (57°C) and leave it to work for 8-12 hours, but drying times can vary. Cranberries do not need to be blanched before dehydrating; simply load them onto the trays. If you want a sweeter flavor, soak the cranberries in a sugar or honey solution before drying.

Are cranberries good or bad for diabetics? ›

Cranberries are high in polyphenols, and epidemiological studies have shown that a high-polyphenol diet may reduce risk factors for diabetes and CVD.

Are cranberries good for diabetics? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture reported that two glasses of cranberry juice per day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is due to the polyphenols contained in cranberries which protect cells from damage and disease.

Which has more sugar blueberries or cranberries? ›

Total sugar content of red cranberry fruit was only about 40% of that of ripe blueberry fruit. 2. Acids. The predominant organic acids in cranberry fruit were quinic, malic and citric with smaller amounts of succinic, shikimic, and tartaric present (Table 1).

Are cranberries high in sugar and carbs? ›

Carbs. A 1-cup serving of raw cranberries contains just 46 calories and 12 grams of carbs. Of those carbohydrates, 3.6 grams are fiber and 4.3 grams are naturally-occurring sugars. Dried cranberries are also popular.

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